The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Sheldon Keefe after five seasons with the club, the team announced Thursday.
Decisions on the rest of the coaching staff are still to come.
"Today's decision was difficult," general manager Brad Treliving said in a statement. "Sheldon is an excellent coach and a great man; however, we determined a new voice is needed to help the team push through to reach our ultimate goal. We thank Sheldon for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last nine years, and wish him and his family all the very best."
Keefe signed a two-year extension last August that hadn't kicked in yet.
His dismissal comes after yet another early playoff exit for the Maple Leafs. Toronto lost to the Boston Bruins in overtime of Game 7 last week for its seventh opening-round elimination in eight years, and fourth in five years under Keefe.